Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsHow It WorksUsesRisksTypesHow to Make Your OwnFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
How It Works
Uses
Risks
Types
How to Make Your Own
Frequently Asked Questions
Colloidaloatmeal helps treat myriad skin problems, including dry skin, itchiness,rashes, andeczema(atopic dermatitis).
It’s been used for centuries and has been studied for medical uses since the 1950s.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially listscolloidal oatmealas a skin protectant.
This article explains what colloidal oatmeal is, how it works, its uses and types, its risks and benefits, and how it’s made.
mady70 / Getty Images
What Is Colloidal Oatmeal?
Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground oats (Avena sativa) mixed into lotions, creams, other skin care products, or bathwater. It’s anemollient, which means it softens and soothes the skin.
A wide variety of commercially available products contain colloidal oatmeal. You can also make your own colloidal oatmeal.
What Is “Colloidal”?The term “colloidal” refers to fine, noncrystalline particles mixed into another substance that don’t settle or separate from the second substance, even after filtering.
What Is “Colloidal”?
The term “colloidal” refers to fine, noncrystalline particles mixed into another substance that don’t settle or separate from the second substance, even after filtering.
Oatmeal is an effective topical treatment (as well as a healthy food) because it contains:
It also hasanti-inflammatoryproperties due to its effect on cells in the immune system calledcytokines.
Oxidative StressOxidative stressis linked to inflammation and illness, including:CancerDiabetesHeart diseaseLiver and kidney problemsAlzheimer’s diseaseParkinson’s diseaseCataractsEczema
Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stressis linked to inflammation and illness, including:CancerDiabetesHeart diseaseLiver and kidney problemsAlzheimer’s diseaseParkinson’s diseaseCataractsEczema
Oxidative stressis linked to inflammation and illness, including:
Yourskinis vital to your health. It keeps germs, chemicals, and other hazards out of your body while performing functions such as keeping your body temperature and water content within balance.
The top layer of skin is called the skin barrier. Research suggests colloidal oatmeal can significantly improve the health and strength of the skin barrier.
Studies have also suggested that colloidal oatmeal:
Colloidal oatmeal is considered so effective for atopic dermatitis that the FDA requires it as an ingredient in any moisturizer claiming to treat the condition.
Best Lotions for Dry, Cracked Hands
Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Cancer treatments such aschemotherapyandtargeted therapiescan be hard on the skin, leaving behind toxins that cause rashes, discomfort, pain, and hair loss, which can lead to emotional distress.
Research suggests colloidal oatmeal can improve skin side effects safely. That can mean less discomfort during treatment and a better likelihood of patients completing their cancer treatment regimens.
The risks of using colloidal oatmeal are quite low. One study found that in patch testing of 2,565 people, only 23 people had an adverse reaction. Research has shown that it’s:
Oat Allergies
If you have afood allergyto oats, you may react with a rash to skin care products containing colloidal oatmeal.Symptomsof this food allergy include:
Although it is rare, you may also have a reaction to colloidal oatmeal if you haveceliac diseaseor agluten sensitivity. That’s because oats contain a protein called avenin, similar to gluten.Cross-contamination when oats are grown next to wheat, barley, or rye, which are high in gluten, is a more prominent reason.
If you react to oats or grains, talk to your healthcare provider before using colloidal oatmeal. Be cautious with these products and watch for reactions if exposed to them.
You can buy colloidal oatmeal itself or find it in many types of products, such as:
Because these products contain other ingredients that may irritate your skin, be sure to check the ingredients list for anything you know can cause a reaction. Yourdermatologistor other healthcare provider may be able to help you find a product that will work for you.
You can make colloidal oatmeal with any oats. Just blend them up until you have a fine powder. Then, mix the powder into skin care products or use them in anoatmeal bath. For a bath:
How to Draw an Oatmeal Bath for Rash
Summary
Skin problems can significantly impact your health and quality of life. Few complementary and alternative treatments have been studied as much as colloidal oatmeal, so it’s one most people can use without worry. Ask your dermatologist or other healthcare provider about commercial products before using them to ensure all ingredients are safe for you.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, colloidal oatmeal and oatmeal basically are the same. The word “colloidal” means that it’s finely ground. Colloidal oatmeal also grinds up some parts of the oat that may be removed for food products, such as the bran and germ.Yes, you can make colloidal oatmeal from oats you buy at the grocery store. Just make sure it’s plain oats, not flavored oatmeal with added ingredients.Yes, you can use it every day. In fact, for atopic dermatitis (eczema), it’s usually recommended twice a day.
Yes, colloidal oatmeal and oatmeal basically are the same. The word “colloidal” means that it’s finely ground. Colloidal oatmeal also grinds up some parts of the oat that may be removed for food products, such as the bran and germ.
Yes, you can make colloidal oatmeal from oats you buy at the grocery store. Just make sure it’s plain oats, not flavored oatmeal with added ingredients.
Yes, you can use it every day. In fact, for atopic dermatitis (eczema), it’s usually recommended twice a day.
Best Lotions for Eczema
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, et al.Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin.J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(1):43-48.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Over-the-counter (OTC) monograph M016: Skin protectant drug products for over-the-counter human use.
Perrelli A, Goitre L, Salzano AM, Moglia A, Scaloni A, Retta SF.Biological activities, health benefits, and therapeutic properties of avenanthramides: From skin protection to prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018;2018:6015351. doi:10.1155/2018/6015351
Neha K, Haider MR, Pathak A, Yar MS.Medicinal prospects of antioxidants: A review.Eur J Med Chem. 2019;178:687-704. doi:10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.06.010
Rosso JD, Zeichner J, Alexis A, Cohen D, Berson D.Understanding the epidermal barrier in healthy and compromised skin: Clinically relevant information for the dermatology practitioner: Proceedings of an expert panel roundtable meeting.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9(4 Suppl 1):S2-S8.
Ilnytska O, Kaur S, Chon S, et al.Colloidal oatmeal(Avena sativa)improves skin barrier through multi-therapy activity.J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(6):684-690.
Capone K, Kirchner F, Klein SL, Tierney NK.Effects of colloidal oatmeal topical atopic dermatitis cream on skin microbiome and skin barrier properties.J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(5):524-531.
Sobhan M, Hojati M, Vafaie SY, Ahmadimoghaddam D, Mohammadi Y, Mehrpooya M.The efficacy of colloidal oatmeal cream 1% as add-on therapy in the management of chronic irritant hand eczema: A double-blind study.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:241-251. doi:10.2147/CCID.S246021
Lisante TA, Nunez C, Zhang P, Mathes BM.A 1% colloidal oatmeal cream alone is effective in reducing symptoms of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis: Results from two clinical studies.J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(7):671-676.
Hebert AA, Rippke F, Weber TM, Nicol NH.Efficacy of nonprescription moisturizers for atopic dermatitis: An updated review of clinical evidence.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2020;21(5):641-655. doi:10.1007/s40257-020-00529-9
Lisante TA, Nuñez C, Zhang P.Efficacy and safety of an over-the-counter 1% colloidal oatmeal cream in the management of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children: a double-blind, randomized, active-controlled study.J Dermatolog Treat. 2017;28(7):659-667. doi:10.1080/09546634.2017.1303569
Allais B, Friedman A.ARTICLE: Colloidal oatmeal part II: Atopic dermatitis in special populations and clinical efficacy and tolerance beyond eczema.J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(10):s8-s11.
Wiley K, Ebanks GL Jr, Shelton G, Strelo J, Ciccolini K.Skin toxicity: Clinical summary of the ONS Guidelines™ for cancer treatment-related skin toxicity.Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2020;24(5):561-565. doi:10.1188/20.CJON.561-565
Criquet M, Roure R, Dayan L, Nollent V, Bertin C.Safety and efficacy of personal care products containing colloidal oatmeal.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2012;5:183-193. doi:10.2147/CCID.S31375
Dvořáček V, Kotrbová-Kozak A, Kozová-Doležalová J, et al.Specific avenin cross-reactivity with G12 antibody in a wide range of current oat cultivars.Foods. 2022;11(4):567. doi:10.3390/foods11040567
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology: Allergist.Food allergy.
Celiac Disease Foundation.Gluten-free oats: What’s the deal?
DermNet New Zealand Trust.Oatmeal.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
